First and foremost, Solicitors and Barristers are both Lawyers – a generic term used to describe anyone who is a Licensed Legal Practitioner.

We have a split legal system in England and Wales with two separate legal professions, one which conducts Litigation – the work of solicitors, and the other specialising in Advocacy – the work of barristers. Both professions have different training and expertise, different rules and their own regulator.

Solicitors are licensed litigators and conduct the process of litigation, i.e. running a client’s case; completing court forms, issuing court applications, lodging documents with the court, corresponding with the other side and the court, providing legal advice and support to their clients. In their case-management role solicitors are able to instruct other professionals on behalf of their client, such as an expert witness, a surveyor or a barrister and can sign documents on behalf of their client. Some of the work of solicitors is transactional, conveyancing for example.

Barristers are specialist legal advisers and court room advocates. They are self-employed, independent and objective lawyers, trained to advise clients’ on the strengths and weaknesses of their case. They have specialist knowledge and experience in and out of court, which can make a substantial difference to the outcome of a case. Early advice from a barrister can often save clients the cost and worry of an unnecessary trial and can strengthen the client’s hand at negotiation. Even at a trial, a well-argued case and good cross-examination can make a huge difference to the final outcome.

Solicitors usually charge by the hour - and that can get expensive! I charge ‘fixed fees’ meaning you know what the fee will be before agreeing for the work to be done. You remain in control.

EXPERTISE

Barristers are the legal experts-the elite lawyers who solicitors go to when they need advice on the law. Barristers know their area of law inside out and you can benefit from their expertise. This puts you in a very powerful position.

LOWER COSTS

Barristers will cost you LESS overall than if you went via a solicitor - no doubt about it. Several of my clients have paid as much as 50% LESS than the fees they had been quoted by solicitors by going via me to a Barrister.

TIMELY SERVICE

Given that Barristers have special legal knowledge they are able to do things quickly and efficiently, saving you time and money. They get straight to the crux of the matter.